What was temperature when Columbia space shuttle disaster?

The Columbia space shuttle disaster occurred on February 1, 2003, during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. At that time, the external temperature of the shuttle's surface reached approximately 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit (about 1,650 degrees Celsius) due to the intense heat generated by friction with the atmosphere. However, the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the shuttle at high altitudes would have been much colder. The disaster was caused by damage to the shuttle's thermal protection system, which led to the loss of the vehicle and its crew.